Vandals hit Naperville United Way sculptures

It appears the United Way bug sculptures on display around downtown Naperville could use some people repellent.

Vandals already have damaged several of the pieces, which were set up just about a week ago as part of an annual outdoor public art fundraiser.

While such vandalism is not an entirely uncommon occurrence, Naperville United Way Executive Director Susan Fritz said it is unacceptable.

"It's unfortunate," she said. "It's very disappointing for us to see damage this early."

Artists decorated roughly 40 pieces for this year's project -- ladybug playhouses, butterfly birdbaths, dragonfly benches and frog chairs -- that will be on display around downtown throughout the summer.

The United Way has sponsored similar campaigns in recent years featuring everything from baby giraffe and carousel horse sculptures to pieces featuring farm animals and bears.

Vandalism has been reported every year of the program, but this year it seems to be coming unusually early.

Several frog tongues already have been broken off and a metal sign that was bolted to the ground by one of the ladybug playhouses has been ripped out and appears to have been used to do further damage to the piece.

The ladybug playhouse's artist, June Zesch, was trying to fix the piece Monday morning and expects to make a couple more trips until the work is complete.

"I don't really understand why, but whatever it is ... I wish there was a way they could protect them (the sculptures)," she said.

United Way recommends artists paint the sculptures and not apply anything that could be stolen, but Fritz said she realizes doing so limits artists' creativity. The group also is considering moving some of the pieces to more heavily trafficked areas.

The sculptures' sponsors are responsible for having damages repaired so the artwork can be auctioned Sept. 12. United Way said it hopes to raise at least $100,000 for charity through the project.

But Fritz said some of the sculptures may not be fixed until the end of summer so they won't have to be repaired repeatedly.

"This is all for charity, so I don't know why people can't respect them and realize this is not an event that benefits any for-profit (group)," Fritz said. "This is for charity."

Anyone with information about the vandalism can call the Naperville Crime Stoppers Hotline at (630) 420-6006.